Coach | 2027 Notre Dame RB Target Wayne Shanks Total Package

Notre Dame continues to sit firmly in the mix for Wayne Shanks Jr‍, and from the perspective of those around him every day, the appeal is rooted as much in who he is as what he can do on the field.

Kinkaid School head coach Nathan Larned describes the 2027 Texas running back as the kind of prospect whose God-given talent draws immediate attention before the intrigue increases when his personality is revealed.

“His ability gets everyone’s attention,” Larned said. “But then when coaches get to know him, they find out what an amazing human being he is.”

That combination has driven Shanks’ emergence as a national recruit.

“He goes to a very prestigious school, very academically challenging,” Larned said. “So he’s going to be very sound no matter where he goes academically. Then he’s going to be a role model, model citizen, just everything you want as a player.”

Shanks’ reputation inside the building mirrors what colleges see on tape. Larned said Shanks’ personality and approach have allowed him to blend seamlessly into a demanding environment.

“He came to Kinkaid as a sophomore and you would think he’s been there since kindergarten,” Larned said. “He’s very cerebral. He’s a great listener, and when he speaks, he’s thoughtful. His teachers love him. Kids love him. Teammates love him. He’s just an all-around good human.”

That consistency carries over to the weight room and Shanks’ daily preparation.

“He’s in there every single day training,” Larned said. “He’s in track right now, still getting his lifts. 

“He asks questions, but they’re intelligent questions. It’s almost too easy to coach him, and that’s a hard thing to say.”

On the field, Larned sees a complete skill set that separates Shanks from more specialized backs.

“He’s got good size and room to put on a little bit more,” Larned said of the 5-foot-11, 195-pounder. “He’s extremely gritty. Great vision, great balance, elite speed once he hits a hole, and he’ll drop his pads and run you over if he has to.”

Shanks ran a 10.8 in the 100 meters as a freshman, something Larned believes often goes unnoticed on film.

“He’s so smooth when he runs that people don’t realize how fast he is,” Larned said. “Then you realize he never gets caught, and the track times back it up.”

The Houston native’s versatility is a major factor when schools are measuring Shanks against other prospects from Larned’s perspective.

“He’s not a niche running back,” the coach said. “He’s a do-it-all guy. He can catch the ball, move out to the slot, hammer it downhill. He’s a very versatile back.”

Larned said Shanks has taken a patient approach to recruiting as coaching changes around the country have reshaped boards.

“He’s just letting the dominoes fall,” Larned said. “He wants to go on his visits, probably do some stuff this spring, then do all his official visits in June and probably make a decision in the summertime.”

Notre Dame has been a legit part of that conversation, and Larned sees the fit as a natural one given Shanks’ background and priorities.

“For a kid coming out of Kinkaid, where it’s academically driven, to go to a school that’s very well regarded academically but also have the ability to play at the highest level and develop NFL players, Notre Dame has the full package,” Larned said.

Shanks’ offer sheet includes schools like Alabama, Auburn, Baylor, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Miami, Michigan, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Oregon, Penn State, TCU, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, USC and Wisconsin among others.

As his recruitment continues to narrow, those closest to him believe the combination of character, versatility and approach will keep him squarely in the national spotlight.

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